UMass Dartmouth combines 92.2% admission rates with 92nd percentile SAT performance, demonstrating academic quality alongside accessibility. As an Opportunity Builder, the university produces $13,175 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels below peer institutions.
Strong earnings relative to educational costs and debt levels
Typical cost structures for public institutions in Massachusetts
The university's effectiveness in converting educational access into earnings advancement for diverse student populations
The university's effectiveness in converting educational access into earnings advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisOpen access with strong mobility outcomes
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth ranks #317 nationally with composite performance at the 80.6th percentile, placing it in the strong tier nationally. Located in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, this medium-sized public university maintains highly accessible admission with a 92.2% acceptance rate while delivering well above average post-graduation outcomes.
UMass Dartmouth enrolls 35.6% Pell-eligible students and 35.2% first-generation students, demonstrating significant commitment to educational access. Graduates earn $13,175 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 89.3rd percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $68,804 ten years after enrollment, placing UMass Dartmouth at the 85th percentile for long-term earnings outcomes. This combination of open access, diverse student enrollment, and strong economic outcomes positions the university as an Opportunity Builder, where institutions combine broad accessibility with meaningful career advancement for graduates from varied backgrounds.
UMass Dartmouth combines accessible education with strong return on investment outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $68,804 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 85th percentile nationally and $18,688 above the peer median of $50,116.
Earnings span from $41,246 at the 25th percentile to $91,962 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career trajectories across programs. The institution generates $13,175 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 89.3rd percentile nationally on this critical measure.
Students seeking accessible public education with strong upward mobility outcomes, particularly in nursing, engineering, and technology fields. Well-suited for first-generation and working-class students who benefit from open access combined with above-average earnings potential and manageable debt levels.
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth admits 92.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 9 in 10 qualified applicants receive admission offers. This places the university firmly in the Open Access category, with admission rates significantly higher than the peer median of 84.6%.
The high acceptance rate reflects the university's mission to provide broad educational access while maintaining academic standards through other mechanisms. UMass Dartmouth's approach prioritizes accessibility over exclusivity, making it an attractive option for students seeking quality public education without the uncertainty of highly competitive admission processes.
The university's 7.6 percentage point higher admission rate compared to peer institutions indicates a commitment to serving diverse student populations. Students should expect straightforward admission processes for those meeting basic academic requirements.
This accessibility makes UMass Dartmouth particularly valuable for first-generation college students, working adults, and others who benefit from reduced admission barriers. The combination of open access with strong academic programming creates opportunities for students who might face challenges at more selective institutions.
For prospective students, this means focusing on academic preparation and program fit rather than competitive positioning against other applicants.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth publishes a cost of attendance of $31,677 annually, including $15,208 in-state tuition, $31,750 out-of-state tuition, $17,940 for room and board, and $1,400 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $20,605 after financial aid, representing savings of $11,072 from the published price.
This net price sits $6,512 below the peer median of $14,093, indicating higher costs relative to similar institutions. The university's net price reflects Massachusetts public education pricing, which tends to run above national averages for public institutions.
Financial aid reduces costs substantially, with the average aid package covering approximately 35% of published costs. Students should expect net prices to vary significantly based on family income, with lower-income families receiving more substantial aid packages.
The gap between sticker price and net price demonstrates the importance of applying for financial aid regardless of perceived eligibility. Out-of-state students face significantly higher costs with $31,750 tuition versus $15,208 for Massachusetts residents, making residency status a critical cost factor.
The university's financial aid approach targets need-based assistance while maintaining typical public institution cost structures for New England regional pricing patterns.
UMass Dartmouth graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth across multiple time horizons. Median earnings increase from $51,475 six years after enrollment to $59,968 at eight years and $68,804 at ten years, representing 33.7% growth from the six-year benchmark.
These outcomes reflect a ten-year cohort of 239 graduates, providing reliable confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $13,175 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing the university at the 89.3rd percentile for value-added performance.
This earnings uplift indicates the institution's effectiveness in translating educational investment into career advancement. Low-income graduates earn $47,400, demonstrating the university's ability to serve economically diverse students with meaningful outcomes.
Earnings distribution ranges from $41,246 at the 25th percentile to $91,962 at the 75th percentile, reflecting program diversity and career path variation. Approximately 27.8% of graduates continue to graduate school, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced study.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
29 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
62 graduates
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
27 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
52 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
13 graduates
UMass Dartmouth offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data available for analysis. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing leads enrollment with 183 graduates earning $70,683 and ranking #154 nationally.
Psychology, General graduates 134 students with median earnings of $45,292, ranking #117 nationally and #7 in Massachusetts. Business Administration and Management graduates 113 students earning $49,862, while Accounting Technology produces 94 graduates with $64,381 median earnings.
Criminology stands out with exceptional value, ranking #9 nationally and #1 in Massachusetts with 80 graduates earning $53,581. Engineering programs demonstrate strong outcomes despite smaller cohorts, with Artificial Intelligence ranking #83 nationally and Mechanical Engineering graduating 52 students with $80,735 median earnings.
The university's program portfolio spans health, business, engineering, and liberal arts, reflecting comprehensive academic offerings that support diverse career pathways.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Similar quality tier (#317 ranked) | IL | 90% | $53,390 | #317 | Compare |
State University Of New York At New Paltz Similar quality tier in Northeast (#318 ranked) | NY | 59% | $58,073 | #318 | Compare |
Eastern Michigan University Similar quality tier (#319 ranked) | MI | 81% | $51,793 | #319 | Compare |
Southeastern Louisiana University Similar quality tier (#313 ranked) | LA | 94% | $46,482 | #313 | Compare |
Jacksonville State University Similar quality tier (#312 ranked) | AL | 76% | $45,235 | #312 | Compare |
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